Which of the following is classified under spontaneous breaths only?

• A. SIMV
• B. IMV
• C. CSV
• D. AC

Answer: (C)

The classification of spontaneous breaths refers to the type of ventilation where the patient is in control of initiating breaths without assistance from the ventilator. Among the options provided, Continuous Spontaneous Ventilation (CSV) is the correct answer, as it is characterized by the delivery of breaths that are entirely spontaneous, meaning they are initiated and controlled by the patient's own respiratory effort.

In CSV, the ventilator is set to allow for spontaneous ventilation and does not impose mechanical breaths on the patient. This mode is often used to support patients who can breathe independently but may need assistance in certain situations. The goal is to enable the patient to maintain control over their breathing pattern, promoting comfort and reducing the risk of respiratory muscle atrophy.

Other modes like SIMV (Synchronized Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation), IMV (Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation), and AC (Assist-Control) incorporate mandatory breaths alongside spontaneous ones. In these modes, the ventilator actively delivers breaths based on preset criteria, thus not falling under the category of spontaneous breaths only. This distinction helps clarify the type of respiratory support that each mode provides, emphasizing the autonomy afforded to the patient in CSV.